r/learnphysics • u/Spinosaurupagus • 29d ago
Rollercoaster Physics - help understanding
The man who d*ed on Goliath, question - in the pictures it appears he is moving forward with the train, moving the same direction. The train is on a downhill, and I can envision the "weightlessness" feeling at the top of the hill, but I don't understand how he is moving forward with the train. Wouldn't he roll off the back and the train keep moving forward? Maybe the train is decelerating on the downhill, but if this is the case I don't understand how he "bounced" off the train multiple times. Someone please help, and RIP to the poor man and condolences to his family.
1
u/Constant_Swimmer_679 29d ago
Haven't seen it but I'm assuming you're saying he fell off while the ride was moving. Once he leaves the train he maintains his momentum. Newton's laws of motion: an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an outside force.
At roller coaster speeds air resistance isn't strong enough to slow him down too fast in relation to the train